September 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

Clear Lake Area Community Center Board Meeting Minutes

September 25, 2025

Present: Board Members: Tim Wyss, Lori DeBoer, Virginia Cahow, Sue Anderson, Doug Cahow, Ray Cress, Wendy Schoggins, Muriel Nelson. Advisory Board Members: Joan Lillie, Jay Matson. Tenants: Eric Wood, Melanie Cuper

Call to Order: President Tim Wyss called the meeting to order at 9:30 am in the CLACC Office.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim.

Secretary’s Reports: The minutes of the July 23, 2025, were accepted as presented. (There was no board meeting in August). 

Treasurer’s Report – Virginia Cahow

Income:

• Thrift shop sales were very good in August.

• There are no concerns to report on tenant rental payments.

• The center received a $1,000 donation from the local Masons.

Expenses:

• The water bill is less when compared to several months ago; not using the boiler contributes to this.

• Most of the supplies for the weather-stripping have been purchased.

• The bill for preventative drain cleaning ($225.00) was paid in July.

• $48.75 was paid for printing new brochures. (July)

• Insurance premiums were paid in August but are not listed in the report.

Reserves:

• Grant money was moved to a separate account, “Edward Jones MM Federated Tr US Trsy Oblg is” at Edward Jones.  It includes two grants, one of $105,000 and another of $115,000. An earlier grant of $35,000 has not yet been transferred to the new account. $2845.59 recently paid from regular checking for services provided by Cedar Corp will need to be transferred to regular checking.

The Treasurer’s report was approved subject to audit.

Office Management Report – Wendy Schoggins

• Auctions are now held the first Sunday of the month in the Event Center (See July board meeting minutes for background).

• The center made over $300 in sales plus $168 in concessions on Sept. 7.

• Items for auction by CLACC are selected from donations to the thrift shop by thrift shop sorters and Wendy. These are things that would not sell easily in the shop.

• The center needs to research additional options for items donated but not needed for the thrift shop because Eric & Lisa will soon no longer be taking them.

  • Wendy already uses Marketplace for collectibles and “high end” things.

  • It was suggested to ask Acme in Amery if they’d accept some goods.

• Melanie voiced concern that the auction not interfere with community play preparations. She recommended that the auctioneer be situated on the side of the room opposite the stage. Wendy will work on the issue.

Tenant Talk – Tim

• Diane Dietrich of Premiere Gymnastics was invited to attend the board meeting since her area will be affected by the planned HVAC upgrade. However, she was unable to make it.

Standing Committees:

Building and Maintenance – Tim and Wendy

• Room 303 Improvements

  • Walls – Volunteers from Specialty Coating removed the wallpaper and painted the walls. Another coat of paint is needed. 

  • Tiling – Trent Elliott heard about the project and volunteered to assist in tiling the floor. So far he has repaired the cracks, applied the glue and started to put down the tile.

• Hallway tile project

  • The tile donated from Wells Fargo will be installed in the hallway.

• Door weatherstripping project  

  • Jay Matson has installed weatherstripping on doors for which he had supplies.  A different type of stripping must be ordered for the remaining doors.

  • Jay also worked on some of the door hinges too.

• Cedar Corporation – Apex Engineering – status of their work.

  • The proposed plan for the gym includes installing duct work the peak of the ceiling.  Tim asked if it could be placed on the side walls to make installation less disruptive to the current tenant.  Unfortunately, this would make the ductwork accessible to individuals seated on the top bleachers.

  • Another issue is the space currently rented by Doug Cahow as a garage. Should it be fitted for long term heated storage or as garage with outside ventilation along with heat?

  • Tim is considering requesting frequent zoom meetings with Josh to address issues more quickly and to improve our understanding f the issues.

• Eagle Scout Landscape Project  

  • Volunteers from Pillar removed unwanted plant materials from the area last spring but it’s overgrown again.

  • The area is steep and difficult to mow plus there is a drain at the bottom of slope.

  • It was suggested to consult with Jenny Bergmann or Garrett Greenhouse regarding what plants might be appropriate, even wild flowers.

  • Another suggestion was to talk to the village about reshaping that area and reducing the slope.

  • Tim will pursue these suggestions.

Program Development – Senior Luncheons -  Muriel

• The last luncheons of this calendar year are an Oktoberfest-themed luncheon on October 23 and the Holiday luncheon on December 4.

• To date, luncheons in 2025 have been successful with 60-75 people attending the meals.

Executive/Finance – No report

Grants – Muriel

• We should hear in mid-October about 2 grant requests:

  • Green Bay Packer Foundation - $8,000 for Event Center Upgrade

  • RCU Foundation - $315,000 for HVAC Upgrades

• The $115,000 previously received from Hugh Andersen Foundation for HVAC improvements must be used by year’s end. Muriel will draft a communication to the foundation since it is doubtful that we can meet the timeframe. It’s prefered not to have to surrender this grant.

• The center also has $1,000 received from Polk-Burnett Operation Round-Up. This money was earmarked for a commercial garbage disposal. Again, if we don’t use the money as intended, it should be returned. 

  • Many points about a disposal were raised:

    • The integrity of the waste lines. The center now schedules a rotor-rooter service every 1-2 years to reduce build-up in the pipes and keep drainage from reaching the upper portion of the pipes.

    • A disposal should reduce the amount of undesired waste from going down the drains.

    • The board previously approved purchasing and installing a commercial disposal.

  • It was decided to proceed with the purchase and installation of the disposal and use this grant plus a $3,000 donation received this past summer for the improvement.

• Grant committee members are researching options for a portable PA system that can be used throughout the building when needed and for Event Center activities until that area is upgraded. A request will probably go to Polk-Burnett for that acquisition.

New Business 

Haunted House and Escape Room– Tim

• A request was received to once again have the community Haunted House at the center. Because the Community Theater will be holding it’s fall play within days of this event, it is necessary that area by cleaned up immediately following the event.

• The same group wants to have a mobile Escape Room erected outside the center for the duration of the Haunted House event.

• Currently the Haunted House proceeds are given to the food pantry. It was decided to ask that the proceeds from the Escape House be donated to the community center.

• Lori made a motion to once again approve the Haunted House and to also approve the Escape Room but to request that proceeds from the Escape House be given to CLACC.  Muriel seconded the motion. Motion carried.

• It was also noted to ask for proof of insurance for the Escape Room.

CLHS Homecoming Tailgate Party on October 10 – Wendy

• Community Education will again coordinate the tailgating party that’s associated with the high school’s Homecoming. In the past the community center has donated to the cost of food, prizes and other things for the event.

• Doug made a motion that CLACC donate $100 toward this event.  Lori seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Winter Market – Wendy

• Brenda Shone and Jennifer Mickelson volunteered to manage the Winter Market this year.

• In the past, the center has approved $500 for advertising and supplies for the market. Muriel made a motion to provide up to $500 for this year’s market expenses. Lori seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

• The details for the market will follow (dates, charges for tables & electricity, concessions, etc.)

Adjournment

• Lori made a motion to adjourn; Doug seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

• The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am.

The next board meeting is Thursday, October 23 at 9:30 am